Controversial USPTO Rules Rescinded
The USPTO announced today that it will file a motion to dismiss in Tafas v. Kappos, the case regarding the validity of a controversial rules package proposed by the USPTO. This effectively marks the end of the rules proposed to help make the USPTO reduce its application backlog. In short these rules would have restricted the capacity of inventors to prosecute applications: setting limits on the number of Continuations and RCEs that applicants could file. Also, applications would be limited as to the number of claims that could be included. See the Patent Office press release for more information: http://www.uspto.gov/news/09_21.jsp